Window regulator

ABSTRACT

Window regulating mechanism for vehicle windows of the type connected to a slightly curved vertically extending post for vertical guided movement between open and closed positions.

United States Patent Pickles WINDOW REGULATOR [72] Inventor: JosephPlckles,Birmingham,'Mich.

[73] Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

Filed: May 11, 1970 Appl. No.: 36,110

US. Cl. ..49/362, 49/227, 49/348, 49/352 Int. Cl. ..E05f 11/42 Field ofSearch ..49/40, 227, 348, 352, 362; 74/89.]7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Nicholson g 7 45 Dec. 19,1972 1,939,159 12/1933 Atwood ..49/348 12,212,220 8/ l 940 Zwierzina..74/89. 1 7 3,219,335 1 ll 1 965 Burridge ..L ..49/40 FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 851,436 10/1960 Great Britain ..49/227 PrimaryExaminer-J. Karl Bell Attorney-Whittemore, Hulbert & Belknap [57]ABSTRACT Window regulating mechanism for vehicle windows of the typeconnected to a slightly curved vertically extending post for verticalguided movement between open and closed positions.

1 1 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU DEC 19 Ian SHEET 1 OF 2 3O 44 any64 5O 32 E 34 f {r I 3s 2L u llllll I 'I 52 FIG 3 5 I 42'; Q q i 1 j t II INVENTOR JOSEPH WINDOW REGULATOR BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONRecently, automobile construction has included windows which arevertically movable between open and closed positions in which the guidedsubstantially vertical movement of the windows is accomplished bymounting them on a carrier which is vertically movable upon a postmounted within the vehicle or door construction below the windowopening. The edges of the window may be slidable in sealing grooves butthe guided movement of the window is accomplished primarily by theaction of the post on which the window construction is mounted.

In accordance with the present invention the vertical guide post ismodified to have rack teeth extending 7 along one side thereof andvertical movement of the window is accomplished by connecting a pinionof the carrier in mesh with the rack. Suitable means are provided foreffecting rotation of the pinion and accordingly, generally verticalmovement of the window.

24 may be vertical or curved as required by the configuration of thewindow, its frame, and its required movement. The post 24 is illustratedas comprising a foot or base portion 26 which may be rigidly attached tothe vehicle, as for example within the door or frame below the windowopening. The connection between 'the post 24 and the frame 22 is suchthat it constitutes a complete support and guide for the window glass asAs disclosed herein, this actuating means may take ble drivingconnection available under the trade name Teleflex Similarly, in a thirdembodiment of the invention the manual operator drives a pinion which isin mesh with a first rack. This rack in turn is in mesh with a pinioncarried by the window, this pinion being rigidly connected to the pinionwhich engages the rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevationalview illustrating one embodiment of a window and actuator therefor.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2, FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of a different embodiment ofthe window and regulating mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the connection between the toothedpost and driving pinion.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6, FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of yet another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 8-8, FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the window isillustrated at 10 and has generally vertical edges 12 and 14 which arereceived in vertical portions 16 and 18 of a channel sealing frame, theframe including the upper portion 20 in which the upper edge of thewindow 10 is received in sealing relation.

Fixedly mounted to the lower end of the window glass is a rigidsupporting frame or bracket 22 carrying means adapted to support andguide the window 10 in its vertical movement from a vertical post 24.The post contrasted to prior constructions in which the window isgenerally guided by sliding movement within the window frame. 7

The post 24 is provided at one edge with rack teeth 28 which are engagedby a driving'pinion 30 to effect vertical movement of the window 10.Rollers 32 are .carried by'the frame 22 to engage against the smoothedge surface of the post 24 opposite to the rack teeth 28. The entirewindow including the frame 22 is thus supported from the post 24 byengagement between the two rollers 32 and the pinion 30. Means forming apart of the frame 22 engage the flat sides of the post 24 to completethe connection and this means comprises a channel 34 fixedly mountedwithin the frame 22 and having a flat surface engaging one flat surfaceof the post 24.

In order to effect vertical movement of the window 10 there is provided'a manual operator indicated generally at 36 which includes a bevel gear38 mounted in fixed position on the vehicle and connected to anoperating crank 40. A bevel gear 42 is provided on a pivot supportbracket 44, the pivot mounting 46 of the support being coaxial with theinput drive shaft 48 connecting the crank 40 to the bevel gear 38. Thebevel gear 42 is splined to a transmission shaft 50, the splines beingillustrated at 52.

At the upper end of shaft 50 carrier a bevel gear 54 which meshes with;a bevel gear 56 rigidly connected through a shaft 58 with the pinion 30.

In order to maintain the bevel gear 54 in proper meshing relation withthe bevel gear 56, it is supported on a pivoted bracket 60 whose pivotaxis is constituted by a spacer 62 on the shaft 58. The bracket 60 isprovided with the ears 64 which receive the end portion of the shaft 50at opposite sides of the bevel gear 54.

Accordingly, rotation of the crank 40 will drive the shaft 50 throughthe bevel gears 38, 42. This in turn will drive the pinion 30 throughthe bevel gears 54, 56. Since rotation of the pinion 30 effects verticalmove ment of the window 10, it is necessary to compensate for the changein distance between bevel gears 54 and 42 and also the change indirection. Since the bevel gear 42 is mounted on the bracket 44 forswinging movement about the axis of the bevel gear 38, it is moved asthe angularity of the shaft 50 is changed. Moreover, the variation indistance between the bevel gears 42 and 54 is permitted by the splinedconnection between the shaft 50 and the bevel gear 42. At the same timethe angularity of the bevel gear 54 is permitted to change in accordancewith changes in inclination of the shaft 50 by reason of the pivotmounting bracket 60.

If desired, a clutch of known type may be provided intermediate thecrank 40 and the shaft 48 so as to prevent opening of the window 10 byforces applied directly to the top of the window. Details of the clutchform no part of the present invention and accordingly, the clutch is notshown in FIG. 1.

' Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 there is illustrated a second embodiment ofthe present invention. In this case the window l is provided with aframe or bracket 70 which constitutes a rigid supporting and guidingstructure for the entire window. The frame 70 includes means cooperatingwith the generally vertical but slightly curved post 72 which isprovided with rack teeth 74. In order to insure proper guiding actionthe frame 70 is provided with a pair of rollers 76 engageable with thesmooth rear edge surface of the post while the driving connectionbetween the post and window comprises a pinion 78.

The means for effecting rotation of the pinion 78 and henceverticalmovement of'the window 10, comprises a manual operator includinga housing 80 which includes a shaft 82 fixed to a crank 84, the crankhaving a gear 86 therein forming a part of a drive mechanism availableunder the trade name Teleflex" which will be described in general termssubsequently. The connection between the crank 84 and the gear 86 may ifdesired include a clutchv 88 of known construction, adapted to preventopening movement of the window 10 by forces applied directly, thereto. a

The Teleflex" construction comprises a flexible tube 90,; details ofwhich are better seen in FIG. 5.

' Within the tube 90 isa flexible cable 92 provided with helicalprojections 94 such as may be formed by a wire wound about the cable andfixed thereto. The flexible cable isfreely movable longitudinally withinthe tube 90.

In FIG. there is illustrated the driving connection between thecable 92and the pinion 78 as comprising a gear 95 which is fixed in drivingrelation to the pinion 78. It will be understood that a similararrangement is provided in the housing 80 to connect the handle drivengear 86 and the cable 92. The tube 90 is provided with an opening 96 atone side thereof to permit the teeth of the gear 95 to mesh with theprojections 94 formed on the flexible cable 92. The tube 90 within thehousing 80 is similarly apertured to permit a drive connection betweenthe teeth'of the'gear 86 and the pro jections on the flexible cable 92.v

It will of course be understood that while both the tube 90 and cable 92are flexible, nevertheless rotation of the gear 86 is effective to movethe flexible cable longitudinally within the tube 90 and hence, toimpart rotation to gear 95 and pinion 78.

Referring now to FlGS. 7 and 8 there is illustrated a third embodimentof the present invention. In this case the frame or bracket 100 rigidlyfixed to the window 10, carries a pair of rollers 102 adapted to engagethe smooth edge 104 of the post 106 opposite to the rack teeth 108formed thereon. Vertical movement of the window is accomplished byrotating a pinion 110 in mesh with the rack teeth 108.

This means comprises a manual operator including a pinion 112 carried bya fixedly located drive shaft 114 which may be rotated by a crank orotherwise. An elongated rack bar 116 is provided having teeth atopposite ends. The teeth indicated at 118 are engagedby the teeth of thepinion 112 so that rotation thereof effects longitudinal movement of therack bar 116. Inasmuch as vertical movement of the window 10 relative tothe fixed location of the pinion 112 calls for a tilting movementorchange in angularity of the bar 116, means are provided to permittingsuch tilting while maintaining the teeth of the rack and pinion in mesh.This means is illustrated more or less diagrammatically as comprising abracket 120 which is pivoted for swinging movement about the axis of theshaft 1 14.

At the opposite end of the rack bar 116 there is provided a pinion (notshown) whichis fixedly connected to the pinion 110 and which is retainedin meshing engagement with the teeth 122 provided on the rack bar 116 bya tilting bracket 124 which is similar to the bracket 120.

' Rotation of the shaft 1 l4 accordingly effects longitudinal movementof the rack bar 116 which in turn Again, if desired, a clutch may beinterposed in the system to prevent downward movement of the window 10by forces applied directlythereto.

When desirable, spring counterbalance means may be applied at anappropriate position to the regulator. For example, as seen in H6. 4, acompression spring 79 may be applied within tube to bias the cable 92.to the right, to apply forces tending to raise the window.

While reference has been made throughout ,to manual operation, it willof course be apparent that motor means may be substituted for the manualoperator.

. What I claim as my invention is: p

1. In combination, a vehicle frame construction having a window opening,a window movable relative to said window opening, a bracket rigidlysecured to the lower edge portion of said window, a rigid post fixedlymounted to said frame construction below said window opening, guide anddrive means on said bracket comprising a pair of members movablyengaging one side of said post at substantially vertically spaced pointsand a third member movably engaging the oppositeside of said post at apoint'intermediate the points of engagement between said post andsaidpair of members to provide-substantially complete guidance for saidwindow for generally vertical movement by said post and bracket, said"post having rack teeth along one side thereof, one of said memberscomprising a pinion rotatably mounted in fixed position on said bracketand in mesh with said rack teeth, means for rotating said pinion toeffect generally vertical guided movement of said window, the means forrotating said pinion comprising a first bevel gear connected to saidpinion, an input drive shaft rotatable at a fixed location remote fromsaid pinion on said frame construction, a second bevel gear in mesh withsaid first bevel gear, means mounting said second bevel gear to saidbracket for pivotal movement about the axis of said first bevel gear, anelongated shaft extending from said second bevel gear to the location ofsaid input drive shaft and in driving relation to said second bevelgear, and gearing interconnecting said input drive shaft and saidelongated shaft, said elongated shaft having a spline gear connection toaccommodate variation in spacing between said second bevel gear and thegearing connecting said input drive shaft and said elongated shaft atsaid fixed location.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said gearing comprises athird bevel gear on said elongated shaft and a fourth bevel gear in meshwith said third bevel gear and carried by said input drive shaft, and

means mounting said fourth bevel gear to said frame construction forangular movement about the axis of said input drive shaft.

3. In combination, a vehicle frame construction having a window opening,a window movable relative to said window opening, a bracket rigidlysecured to the lower edge portion of said window, a rigid post fixedlymounted to said frame construction below said window opening, guide anddrive means on said bracket comprising a pair of members movablyengaging one side of said post at substantially vertically spaced pointsand a third member movably engaging the opposite side of said post toprovide substantially complete guidance for said window for generallyvertical movement by said post and bracket, said post having rack teethalong one side thereof, one of said members comprising a pinionrotatably mounted in fixed position on said bracket and in mesh withsaidrack teeth, means for rotating said pinion to effect generallyvertical guided movement of said window, in which the means for rotatingsaid pinion comprises a first gear fixed thereto, a second gear mountedfor rotation on said frame construction at a fixed location remote fromsaid pinion, a flexible tube extending from a point adjacent theperiphery of said first gear to a point adjacent the periphery of saidsecond gear, a toothed flexible cable slidable longitudinally in saidtube, said tube having lateral openings through with said gears meshwith the teeth on said cable, and means fixing the portions of said tubeadjacent said gears to provide flexing of said tube upon movement ofsaid window.

4. A window regulator for a window comprising a frame for rigidattachment to the lower edge of a window, said frame constituting thesole guidance and support means for said window, a substantiallyvertical post mounted in a fixed position below the window, guide meanson said frame movably engaging opposite sides of said post atsubstantially vertically spaced points, a rack on said post, a pinion onsaid frame in mesh with said rack, and actuating means comprising aninput drive shaft at a fixed location remote from said frame, andtransmission means connecting said input drive shaft and said pinion forrotating said pinion to effect generally vertical guided movement ofsaid frame and the window carried thereby and arranged to provide forthe necessary variation in spacing between said input drive shaft andpinion.

5. A regulator as defined in claim 4 in which said input drive shaft isparallel to the axis of said pinion, and said transmission meanscomprises an elongated shaft, bevel gearing connecting said elongatedshaft to said drive shaft and to said pinion, said gearing including onebevel gear splined to said elongated shaft for movement longitudinallythereof.

6. A regulator as defined in claim 8 in which said input shaft shaft isparallel to the axis of said pinion, and said transmission meanscomprises rack and pinion means connecting said drive shaft to saidpinion, said rack and pinion means comprises a rack bar extendinggenerally between the location of said drive shaft and the location ofsaid pinion, transmission pinions at such locations in mesh with saidrack bar, and brackets pivotal about the axes of said transmissionpinions to maintain meshed relation between said transmission pinionsand said rack bar as said rack bar is inclined by input drive shaft isparallel to the axis of said pinion, and said transmission meanscomprises a gear fixed to said pinion, a second gear driven by saiddrive shaft, a flexible tube extending substantially tangentially ofsaid gears, a toothed flexible cable movable longitudinally in saidtube, said tube, said tube having openings adjacent said gears throughwhich said gears mesh with the teeth on said cable.

8. A window regulator for a vehicle window comprising a frame for rigidattachment to the lower edge of a window and capable of providingsubstantially the entire guidance and support for the window duringgenerally vertical movement thereof between open and closed positions, asubstantially vertical rigid post mounted in a fixed position below thewindow, guide and drive means on said frame comprising a pair ofvertically spaced guide members on said frame engageable with one sideof said post at vertically spaced zones and a rotary combined guide anddrive member mounted for rotation on said frame and engageable indriving relation with the opposite side of said post at a pointintermediate the points of engagement between said post and said guidemembers, and actuating means comprising an input drive shaft at a fixedlocation remote from said frame and post, and transmission meansconnecting said input drive shaft and said combined guide and drivemember for rotating said combined guide and drive member to effectgenerally vertical movement of said. frame and arranged to provide forthe necessary variation in spacing between said input drive shaft andsaid combined guide and drive member.

9. A window regulator as defined in claim 8 in which said post has rackteeth provided thereon, and in which said combined guide and drivemember is a pinion in mesh with said rack.

10. A window regulator as defined in claim 8 in which said input driveshaft is parallel to the axis of said combined guide and drive member,and said transmission means comprises a gear fixed to said combinedguide and drive member, a second gear driven by said drive shaft, aflexible tube extending substantially tangentially of said gears, atoothed flexible cable movable longitudinally in said tube, said tubehaving openings adjacent said gears through which said gears mesh withthe teeth on said cable.

11. A window regulator as defined in claim 9 in which said input driveshaft is parallel to the axes of said pinion, and said transmissionmeans comprises a gear fixed to said pinion, a second gear driven bysaid drive shaft, a flexible tube extending substantially tangentiallyof said gears, a toothed flexible cable movable longitudinally in saidtube, said tube having openings adjacent said gears through which saidgears mesh with the teeth on said cable.

1. In combination, a vehicle frame construction having a window opening,a window movable relative to said window opening, a bracket rigidlysecured to the lower edge portion of said window, a rigid post fixedlymounted to said frame consTruction below said window opening, guide anddrive means on said bracket comprising a pair of members movablyengaging one side of said post at substantially vertically spaced pointsand a third member movably engaging the opposite side of said post at apoint intermediate the points of engagement between said post and saidpair of members to provide substantially complete guidance for saidwindow for generally vertical movement by said post and bracket, saidpost having rack teeth along one side thereof, one of said memberscomprising a pinion rotatably mounted in fixed position on said bracketand in mesh with said rack teeth, means for rotating said pinion toeffect generally vertical guided movement of said window, the means forrotating said pinion comprising a first bevel gear connected to saidpinion, an input drive shaft rotatable at a fixed location remote fromsaid pinion on said frame construction, a second bevel gear in mesh withsaid first bevel gear, means mounting said second bevel gear to saidbracket for pivotal movement about the axis of said first bevel gear, anelongated shaft extending from said second bevel gear to the location ofsaid input drive shaft and in driving relation to said second bevelgear, and gearing interconnecting said input drive shaft and saidelongated shaft, said elongated shaft having a spline gear connection toaccommodate variation in spacing between said second bevel gear and thegearing connecting said input drive shaft and said elongated shaft atsaid fixed location.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which saidgearing comprises a third bevel gear on said elongated shaft and afourth bevel gear in mesh with said third bevel gear and carried by saidinput drive shaft, and means mounting said fourth bevel gear to saidframe construction for angular movement about the axis of said inputdrive shaft.
 3. In combination, a vehicle frame construction having awindow opening, a window movable relative to said window opening, abracket rigidly secured to the lower edge portion of said window, arigid post fixedly mounted to said frame construction below said windowopening, guide and drive means on said bracket comprising a pair ofmembers movably engaging one side of said post at substantiallyvertically spaced points and a third member movably engaging theopposite side of said post to provide substantially complete guidancefor said window for generally vertical movement by said post andbracket, said post having rack teeth along one side thereof, one of saidmembers comprising a pinion rotatably mounted in fixed position on saidbracket and in mesh with said rack teeth, means for rotating said pinionto effect generally vertical guided movement of said window, in whichthe means for rotating said pinion comprises a first gear fixed thereto,a second gear mounted for rotation on said frame construction at a fixedlocation remote from said pinion, a flexible tube extending from a pointadjacent the periphery of said first gear to a point adjacent theperiphery of said second gear, a toothed flexible cable slidablelongitudinally in said tube, said tube having lateral openings throughwith said gears mesh with the teeth on said cable, and means fixing theportions of said tube adjacent said gears to provide flexing of saidtube upon movement of said window.
 4. A window regulator for a windowcomprising a frame for rigid attachment to the lower edge of a window,said frame constituting the sole guidance and support means for saidwindow, a substantially vertical post mounted in a fixed position belowthe window, guide means on said frame movably engaging opposite sides ofsaid post at substantially vertically spaced points, a rack on saidpost, a pinion on said frame in mesh with said rack, and actuating meanscomprising an input drive shaft at a fixed location remote from saidframe, and transmission means connecting said input drive shaft and saidpinion for rotating said pinion to effect generally vertical guidedmovement of saId frame and the window carried thereby and arranged toprovide for the necessary variation in spacing between said input driveshaft and pinion.
 5. A regulator as defined in claim 4 in which saidinput drive shaft is parallel to the axis of said pinion, and saidtransmission means comprises an elongated shaft, bevel gearingconnecting said elongated shaft to said drive shaft and to said pinion,said gearing including one bevel gear splined to said elongated shaftfor movement longitudinally thereof.
 6. A regulator as defined in claim8 in which said input shaft shaft is parallel to the axis of saidpinion, and said transmission means comprises rack and pinion meansconnecting said drive shaft to said pinion, said rack and pinion meanscomprises a rack bar extending generally between the location of saiddrive shaft and the location of said pinion, transmission pinions atsuch locations in mesh with said rack bar, and brackets pivotal aboutthe axes of said transmission pinions to maintain meshed relationbetween said transmission pinions and said rack bar as said rack bar isinclined by vertical movement of said frame.
 7. A regulator as definedin claim 4 in which said input drive shaft is parallel to the axis ofsaid pinion, and said transmission means comprises a gear fixed to saidpinion, a second gear driven by said drive shaft, a flexible tubeextending substantially tangentially of said gears, a toothed flexiblecable movable longitudinally in said tube, said tube, said tube havingopenings adjacent said gears through which said gears mesh with theteeth on said cable.
 8. A window regulator for a vehicle windowcomprising a frame for rigid attachment to the lower edge of a windowand capable of providing substantially the entire guidance and supportfor the window during generally vertical movement thereof between openand closed positions, a substantially vertical rigid post mounted in afixed position below the window, guide and drive means on said framecomprising a pair of vertically spaced guide members on said frameengageable with one side of said post at vertically spaced zones and arotary combined guide and drive member mounted for rotation on saidframe and engageable in driving relation with the opposite side of saidpost at a point intermediate the points of engagement between said postand said guide members, and actuating means comprising an input driveshaft at a fixed location remote from said frame and post, andtransmission means connecting said input drive shaft and said combinedguide and drive member for rotating said combined guide and drive memberto effect generally vertical movement of said frame and arranged toprovide for the necessary variation in spacing between said input driveshaft and said combined guide and drive member.
 9. A window regulator asdefined in claim 8 in which said post has rack teeth provided thereon,and in which said combined guide and drive member is a pinion in meshwith said rack.
 10. A window regulator as defined in claim 8 in whichsaid input drive shaft is parallel to the axis of said combined guideand drive member, and said transmission means comprises a gear fixed tosaid combined guide and drive member, a second gear driven by said driveshaft, a flexible tube extending substantially tangentially of saidgears, a toothed flexible cable movable longitudinally in said tube,said tube having openings adjacent said gears through which said gearsmesh with the teeth on said cable.
 11. A window regulator as defined inclaim 9 in which said input drive shaft is parallel to the axes of saidpinion, and said transmission means comprises a gear fixed to saidpinion, a second gear driven by said drive shaft, a flexible tubeextending substantially tangentially of said gears, a toothed flexiblecable movable longitudinally in said tube, said tube having openingsadjacent said gears through which said gears mesh with the teeth on saidcable.